Cagers go for sweep vs Malaysia

HO CHI MINH (Via Globe Telecom) — Although the road to a seventh straight basketball glory seems smooth and easy, national team coach Aric del Rosario remains cautious of the final hurdle as he vowed that his wards will go all-out to keep a winning tradition at the close of the tournament tonight at the Military Zone 7 Gymnasium here.

No thanks to the Filipino cagers’ scary 75-70 win over the Indonesians Thursday, Del Rosario now goes into the match against the Malaysians with guarded optimism, not wanting to be caught off-guard by their rivals in their 11 a.m. (12 noon in Manila) encounter.

In fact, Del Rosario ordered the entire squad not to go out of their quarters and instead spent the day discussing their gameplan.

"Cancel lahat ng extra-curricular activities. Walang shopping, walang pasyal, sabay-sabay lahat sa pagkain, bawal lumabas ng hotel at walang cellular phones hanggang sa laban sa Malaysia. Gusto kong i-focus nila ang concentration sa game," said Del Rosario.

The defending champions actually enjoy a big 21-point plus advantage over the Malaysians, who lost to Thailand, 74-79, Thursday but del Rosario wants to be sure of the victory, perhaps the most esteemed gold medal in all sports.

"Kahit virtual champion na kami, ayaw namin umuwi na may talo. At gusto namin magpakita ng mas maganda pagkatapos ng masamang larong ipinakita namin laban sa Indonesia," said del Rosario.

"Against Indonesia, mabibigat lahat ang paa ng mga players kasi late nagsigising. Late nag-almusal at halos dikit na sa tanghalian, kaya ayon pagdating sa laban, lahat mabigat ang katawan," Del Rosario rued.

After the game, instead of going straight to the New World Hotel to attend the dinner hosted by their Ateneo supporters, Del Rosario whisked the team first to their "war room" at Thien Than Hotel for some tongue-lashing.

"Talagang hindi kami masaya kahit nanalo kami," said Del Rosario.

Malaysian sportswriters here said Felton Sealy, Malaysia’s American mentor, has conceded defeat.

But Del Rosario said they couldn’t afford to be complacent against the Malaysians who have upset the Philippines twice in the past.

The Malaysians stole the gold in Kuala Lumpur in 1989 as they stunned coach Derrick Pumaren’s RP squad featuring future pros Jun Limpot, Bong Solomon, Vic Pablo, Jun Reyes, Gerry Esplana, Carlito Mejos, Bonel Balingit, Peter Jao, Dong Postanes, Gido Babilonia, Johnedel Cardel and Larry Villanil.

Malaysia repeated against the Philippines in an elimination-round match in Jakarta in 1997. But coach Dong Vergeire and then Nationals players Romel Adducul, Danny Ildefonso, Rency Bajar, Jomer Rubi, Ralph Emmerson Rivera, Norman Gonzales, Ato Morano, Gerard Francisco, Richard Melencio, Chris Cantonjos and Dino Manuel still won the gold, walloping the Malaysians in their final tiff.

Del Rosario said Dennis Madrid remains a doubtful starter with a groin injury but Melencio is ready to return to action and alternate with Celino Cruz at the pointguard spot.

"Nahirapan din kami sa Indonesia dahil si Celino lang ang point namin. We committed 15 turnovers in the first half alone. Kaya nga kahit four fouls si Celino, ibinalik ko agad pagkatapos ng konting pahinga sa fourth quarter," said Del Rosario.

Meanwhile, coach Arturo "Bai" Cristobal and his RP cagebelles go for the silver medal as they take on Singapore at the close of their own stint in the games at 9 a.m. (10 a.m. in Manila) today.